Baster



2, 6 D. L. JUDSON 3,263,265

BASTER Filed March 5, 1964 INVENTOR. ORV/0 L 4/0050 FTTOEA/Ey United States Patent 3,263,265 EASTER David L. Judson, 27 Thornton Drive, Fairhorn, Ohio Filed Mar. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 349,607 1 Claim. (Cl. -592) This invention relates to a device for spreading or otherwise evenly applying a coating of liquid or light paste to regular and irregular surfaces.

Many of the common duties performed daily involve applying a coat of liquid or paste evenly on a surface. The more common examples include painting, buttering toast, starching clothes, basting meat of all types and shapes and spreading syrup on pancakes. There are a myriad of applicators on the market to assist in accomplishing these common chores and they are in general satisfactory to perform a specific task but lack the versatility desirable to function as a general applicator. The present invention possesses this desirable versatility. More specifically the applicator disclosed herein is adaptable for use in the culinary art. This covers a large area and places a requirement for an applicator which must deliver the coating evenly and quickly to a surface in diflicult environments and must be sanitary. In basting meat, for example, the applicator must be inserted into a heated environment with sporting fat; hence the applicator must be capable of applying the baste liquid to the meat surface evenly and quickly so that the cook will not suffer from extended exposure to the heat and flying grease or fat. Obviously, this can be a diflicult task to accomplish because of the irregular surface of many types of meat such as poultry which requires basting regularly. Failure to apply an even coat will result in scorched meat which is unpleasant to the taste. On the other hand the applicator should be versatile enough to handle the more delicate spreading tasks such as buttering bread and toast without tearing the surface. The growing popularity of outdoor charcoal cooking creates an added requirement for a versatile applicator because of the desirability to baste food prepared on the charcoal ovens.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an applicator which can perform a Wide variety of coating operations.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an applicator which can deposit an even coating of material to regular and irregular surfaces in a rapid manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an applicator which has a brush dispenser to deposit a coating on a surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide an applicator which has a storage receptacle adaptable to receive a brush dispenser.

A further object of this invention is to provide an applicator having a brush dispenser with a cover for the dispenser adapted to exert pressure on the brush when in place to impede flow of fluid through the brush during non-use and in addition prevents dirt from accumulating on the brush.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of the applicator illustrating the receptacle and dispenser supporting mecha. nism in section,

FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the applicator taken substantially along section lines 22 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows the blush dispenser partly in section to show the manner of securing same to the receptacle,

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the brush dispenser illustrating the parts for delivering the liquid from the receptacle to the brush, taken substantially along section lines 4-4 of FIG. 3,

- formed on the exterior of neck Patented August 2, 1966 FIG. 5 is a front view of the brush dispenser similar to FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the brush dispenser taken substantially along section lines 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing a variation in the fluid dispersal pattern from that illustrated in FIG. 4, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cover for the brush dispenser partly broken away to illustrate the locking means and hinge more clearly.

Like numerals refer to like fication.

Directing attention to FIGS. 1 and 2, the applicator consists of four-general parts: the receptacle A; the roller dispenser support B; the roller dispenser C; the cap D.

The receptacle A consists of a reservoir or container portion 1 which is illustrated as being of generally rectangular configuration and serves to hold the material to be dispensed by the applicator. The upper end of reservoir 1 terminates into a circular neck portion 2 having an opening 3 therein through which the material passes. A se mi circular shaped rib or hub 4 is integrally 2 intermediate the ends thereof. Each of the four upper corners of reservoir 1 has projections 5 integrally formed thereon for a purpose to be described later. The reservoir can be constructed from any resilient material such as a plastic or rubber The configuration of the receptacle A is dictated primarily by a shape that is comfortable to the hand so that parts throughout the speciit can be easily manipulated by the user; hence the specific configuration illustrated is one of many shapes that could be utilized.

The dispenser support B consists of a skirt 10, the lowermost portion thereof is adapted to rest on the upper portion of reservoir 1 and the rectangular lower corners of skirt 10 extend over and are in abutting relationship with projections 5 on reservoir 1. The function of projections 5 is to secure support B to receptacle A so as to prevent any accidental separation thereof by twisting during operation of the applicator. The upper end of skirt 10 converges to form a cradle 12 for the dispenser C. The opposite ends of the oblong skirt 10 co-operate with cradle 12 to form bearings 13. Cradle 12 has a recessed bottom portion 14 to accommodate roller C and to function as a reservoir for excess liquid in a manner to be described hereafter.

Depending from the bottom of cradle 12 is a circular locking flange 15 having a semicircular recess 16 intermediate the ends thereof. The lowermost portion of flange 15 is tapered as at 17. When support B and receptacle A are assembled, flange 15 is forced over neck 2 until rib 4 engages and nestles in recess 16 and skirt 10 engage projections 5.

The area where the upper end of flange 15 joins the bottom of cradle 14 forms a ledge 18 which is adapted to receive and support a washer 19. The washer can be made of any suitable resilient material. Roller C rests on washer 19 and the space between the bottom of roller C and the recess 14 in the cradle 12 forms a reservoir. Support B can be separated from reservoir A by applymg a lift force to the skirt ltl until hub 4 is dislodged from recess 16. However, an easier method of separating A from B requiring less force is to apply a torque to skirt 1t) suflicient to overcome the resistance to twisting offered by projections 5 and the lower corners of skirt 10 until skirt 10 is perpendicular to the top of reservoir 1 and then pry up on one end of skirt 10 while depressing the opposite end. This greater leverage action requires less force to dislodge 4 from 16.

The roller dispenser C consists of a generally cylindrical body portion 20. The peripheral surface of body 20 is serrated. The body portion terminates in tapered ends 21. The cross section configuration of the roller C is shown as circular (FIG. 2); however, it should be appreciated that the roller can assume different configurations, such as eliptical, Without departing from the scope of the invention. In assembling roller C and support B, washer 19 is placed on ledge 18 and ends 21 of the roller are inserted in bearings 13. The cradle surrounds the roller in a manner so that about one third of the roller protrudes above the support B, and in this manner the roller is supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis, but is restricted against substantial movement in other directions.

A cap D encloses support B and roller C. The bottom edge of cap D has a protruding lug 30 which co-operates with mating lug 31 located intermediate the ends of skirt to lock the cap in place when the applicator is not in use. A pair of lugs 30 depend from the underside of the top of the cap. When the cap is locked to support B by interlocking lugs 30 and 31, lugs 32 engage and exert pressure on roller C thereby forcing it into the resilient washer 19, the effect of which acts like a valve to shut off flow of the liquid from reservoir 1.

The applicator disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 operates as follows: Cap D is removed; the applicator is inverted; the roller is brought into engagement with the surface to be coated; pressure is exerted on the sides of reservoir 1 which in turn exerts a pressure on the fluid forcing it through aperture 3 into contact with the serrated surface of the roller. The fluid flows along the serrated surfaces laterally in opposite directions from aperture 3 thereby coating the entire length of the roller. As the roller is moved along the surface to be coated, the liquid is moved from the area around aperture 3 180 and deposited onto the surface in an even manner. The excess liquid that is not retained on the serrated surface drops into the reservoir 14 in cradle 12 to be eventually picked up by the roller when the liquid level in the reservoir reaches a height so that it comes into contact with the bottom of the roller. The serrated periphery on roller C increases friction between the surface to be coated and the roller to thereby apply a more even coat than would a smooth surface. This friction is particularly necessary where the surface is irregular such as is encountered, for example, on fowl. When coating is completed, cap D is snapped onto support B and the flow of fluid is thereby shut off and no dirt can accumulate on the roller while the applicator is not in use.

The entire applicator disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be constructed from plastic or a rubber base material. The important consideration in selecting a material is that the reservoir 1 should be made of plyable material so that it will not offer too much resistance to the users hand pressure. Also, the roller should be constructed from material that will resist extreme wear and still maintain well defined serrations on the roller surface.

There are many culinary basting tasks which the roller dispenser will not accomplish in a satisfactory manner. One example would be buttering noodles. To accom plish the more delicate basting job a brush dispenser attachment is provided which is adapted to snap onto neck 4 of reservoir A after support 13 and roller C are removed therefrom. The brush dispenser is illustrated in FIGS. 3-7. The dispenser comprises a brush 40 secured in base 41. The base includes a cap 42 adapted to fit on neck 2 above hub 4 of reservoir 1 and a depending circular flange 43 having a semi-circular recess 44 to receive hub 4 on neck 2 of reservoir 1. A plurality of apertures 45 provide passageways for the fluid from the reservoir 1 to brush 40. The pattern of apertures 45 can be varied. In FIG. 4 there are five apertures illustrated distributed evenly over the area of cap 42 whereas the apertures 42 illustrated in FIG. 6 form a more concentrated pattern. The pattern disclosed in FIG. 6 delivers the basting liquid to the central area only of the brush which in turn supplies the surface to be basted concentrated amounts of liquid. The pattern disclosed in FIG. 4 delivers fluid evenly to the entire area of the brush. The variation in fluid dispersal pattern provides for different fluid flow rates of the basting liquid to the surface to be coated. The particular pattern used, of course, depends on the nature of the basting job to be accomplished.

The cover for the basting brush is disclosed in FIG. 7. The cover F consists of a tapered cylindrical body 50 which has a hinge 51 at a midpoint dividing the body into two sections. One end of the body 50 has a lip 52 which fits into the U-shape catch 53 on the other end of body 50 to form a locking means for the pivoted body 50. A series of lugs 54 are equally spaced around the inside of the body 50 approximately midway between the top and bottom of cover F. The top 55 is one piece construction and is secured to the half of body 50 having the catch 53.

To put the cover F on the brush 40 lip 52 and catch 53 are separated thereby spreading body 50 which in turn is wrapped around the brush 40. Lip 52 is positioned in catch 53 thereby locking the cover in place. Lugs 54 engage and compress the brush while it is not in use.

The brush dispenser operates similarly to the roller dispenser. When the brush dispenser E is assembled on reservoir 1, the unit is inverted, pressure is applied to the sides of reservoir 1 forcing the fluid from reservoir 1 through apertures 45 to brush 40. The liquid is applied to the surface by stroking the brush thereover.

Various changes and modifications will become apparent to one skilled in the art practicing the invention; however, the invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A fluid applicator comprising a fluid container adapted to store the fluid to be dispensed, a base adapted to support the ends of a plurality of bristles projecting therefrom in the form of a brush, means for securing said base to said container, means for directing fluid from said container to said bristles, a cover for said brush which approximates the shape of said brush, said cover comprising a body of generally frusto conical configuration and hinged along the length thereof defining first and second body portions, a unitary cap secured to one of said body portions and effective to close the larger end of said cover, means for locking said hinged body portions together to form a closed substantially impervious cover except for an opening in the smaller end thereof opposite said cap, said open end adapted to rest on said base and closely surround said bristle ends whereby said open end of said cover is closed by said base to form a substantially impervious cover preventing dirt and/or other foreign matter from reaching the brush during non-use, and a plurality of equally spaced brush engaging lugs mounted on and projecting inwardly of said body intermediate the ends thereof and effective to engage and compress said bristles to impede flow of the fluid through the brush during non-use.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 631,000 8/1899 Symonds 15-592 1,298,633 4/1919 Alland 13280 1,353,984 9/1920 Behrman 15185 1,394,205 10/1921 Malcolm 206-151 2,029,056 1/1936 Carlson 15-571 2,698,452 1/1955 Osrow 15541 3,069,718 12/1962 Brady et a1 15571 3,090,070 5/1963 Simmons 15541 3,095,598 7/1963 Gonnella et al. 15-571 3,104,414 9/1963 Figge 15537 FOREIGN PATENTS 381,614 10/1932 Great Britain.

ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner. 

